The Week in Review

Posted: Sunday, November 01, 2009

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A look back at the top stories of the week in the Athens Banner-Herald and OnlineAthens.com.

► On Sunday ...

• Ex-Oconee commissioner Norris dies - Long-time Oconee County Commission Don Norris succumbed to liver cancer, only two months after he was diagnosed. Norris, 72, served five terms, and helped guide the county’s growth for two decades. An insurance professional, he lost his re-election bid last year.

► On Monday ...

• Madison County dog regs introduced - Madison County commissioners reviewed new animal control regulations 10 days after an 86-pound dog mauled a 5-year-old boy in Hull. An amendment would allow the county’s animal control officer to impound dogs that attack and injure people.

► On Tuesday ...

• Two-year term for ex-Madison clerk - Former Madison County Deputy Clerk Melinda Spence was sentenced to two years in prison and 10 years of probation, a week after she pleaded guilty to two counts of felony theft. Superior Court Judge Thomas Hodges also ordered Spence to repay the $85,982.47 she took from the county coffers.

► On Wednesday ...

• Freshman Veazey hurt in collision - University of Georgia baseball infielder Chance C. Veazey, a freshman from Tifton, was injured when a car turned in front of his scooter, and he crashed shortly after 10:30 p.m. at South Lumpkin and Baxter streets. Georgia coach David Perno wouldn’t discuss Veazey’s injuries, but he was hospitalized.

• Battle over student vote divides town - A court in Franklin County took up the dispute between a mayoral candidate and student voters. Lee Moore, who wants to govern the city of 800 people, says students at Emmanuel College, a private Christian school inside the city limits with an enrollment of about 700, should not participate in Franklin Springs politics.

► On Thursday ...

• Georgia Theatre owner offers a tour, makes an appeal to fans - Georgia Theatre owner Wilmot Greene gave a tour of the gutted building as supporters begin to try to raise $1.5 million to help restore the historic venue. Rebuilding from a June fire will cost $3 million, but the business only can support $1.5 million in debt, so Theatre-lovers hope to help out.

• UGA’s Adams leaves NCAA post - University of Georgia President Michael Adams stepped down as chair of the NCAA executive committee, fueling speculation that he might want to be the next executive director. Adams said he resigned because staying on in the role would be a distraction as the NCAA searches for a successor for former executive director Myles Brand, who died in September.

► On Friday ...

• Swine flu's toll among children grows - Even as officials announced that at least 19 more children have died from H1N1, or so-called swine flu, medical experts here say that the disease seems to be waning.